Did you know that you can make delicious hot chocolate with cocoa powder only? Unlike our Oat Milk Hot Chocolate recipe, this hot cocoa is made from just cocoa powder, without any chocolate chips. It's lower in fat yet super chocolatey and flavorful.
A cozy cup of homemade hot chocolate is a must during cooler months but can really be enjoyed all year round! Unlike store-bought hot cocoa mixes, this healthier hot chocolate consists of only 3 simple ingredients.
For more cozy drink recipes check out Chocolate Chips Hot Chocolate, Oat Milk Pumpkin Spice Latte, Healthy Chocolate Milk or Peanut Butter Coffee.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's made with only 3 simple ingredients.
- It uses real cocoa powder - no artificial sweeteners or artificial flavors included.
- It's dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free.
- It's an easy recipe that's ready within 5 minutes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cocoa Powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder that doesn't include any additives. Keep in mind that cocoa powder flavors vary depending on the brand. Both natural cocoa powder and Dutch-process cocoa powder will work but dutch cocoa is usually darker and has a stronger chocolate flavor. You can read more about the difference between Dutch process and natural cocoa powder and dutch cocoa powder here.
- Milk of Choice: Feel free to use your favorite type of milk. For our vegan version of hot chocolate, we chose unsweetened oat milk but any non-dairy milk of choice such as almond milk, soy milk or rice milk does the job. Regular milk will also work. The higher the fat content of the milk, the creamier your hot chocolate will be.
- Sugar: We used coconut sugar to sweeten this hot chocolate but you could use any sweetener of choice such as brown sugar, regular white sugar, honey, agave nectar or maple syrup.
How to Make Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Powder
This hot cocoa recipe is super easy to make and involves only 3 simple steps. The key to a creamy hot chocolate that's not clumpy, is to fully dissolve the cocoa powder.
STEP 1: Warm Milk. Heat half of the milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until hot (but not boiling). Whisk constantly.
Once it's hot, add it to a small bowl or glass jar.
STEP 2: Add dry ingredients (cocoa powder & sugar) to the milk.
And start stirring with a whisk until both sugar and cocoa powder are FULLY dissolved.
STEP 3: Add the cocoa mix back to the saucepan and add in the remaining milk.
Heat over low heat to the desired temperature and whisk until well combined.
Katie's tips
- High-quality cocoa powder: Both natural and Dutch-process cocoa powder work in this recipe. Dutch-process cocoa, however, has a more intense "chocolatey", bittersweet flavor while natural cocoa powder has a milder flavor.
Variations
- Use a blender: If you have a blender with a built-in heating element (like a Vitamix or Ninja Blender) then you can try dissolving the cocoa powder and sugar by blending on soup mode until the milk is warm and the cocoa fully dissolved. I have not tried this recipe using an immersion blender!
- Use a microwave: Instead of heating the milk on the stovetop, you could microwave it until hot (but not boiling).
- Adjust cocoa powder: You can easily customize the chocolate flavors in this hot chocolate. Add more cocoa powder for super chocolatey flavors, add less for more subtle chocolate flavors.
- Adjust sweetness: This recipe calls for 3 teaspoon of coconut sugar. Feel free to add more or less, depending on how sweet you like it.
Toppings & Add-Ins
- Vanilla Extract: Add a splash of vanilla extract for some delicious vanilla flavors.
- Peppermint Extract: Makes a great add-in, especially during Christmas time.
- Cinnamon: Another great addition during the holiday season. Add ¼ tsp.
- Caramel Sauce: If you're a fan of caramel flavors, try adding a spoonful of this 2-Ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce.
- Whipped Cream: Topp off with some homemade Vegan Whipped Cream.
- Salt: Feel free to add a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the natural flavors.
- Candy Cane: Sprinkle with some crushed candy cane.
- Mini Marshmallows: one of the most popular hot chocolate toppings. Choose vegan marshmallows to keep the recipe vegan.
Serving Suggestions
- Breakfast: Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate alongside this 5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread or a big bowl of Applesauce Oatmeal.
- Cookies: Serve this homemade hot chocolate with some 2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies, or Vegan Chocolate Cookies.
- Desserts: Instead of coffee, serve this creamy hot chocolate alongside a piece of Peanut Butter Brownies or Pumpkin Brownies.
Storing
- Store any leftover hot chocolate in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat on low on the stovetop or the microwave and give it a good stir.
FAQs
Absolutely! However, cocoa powder flavors vary depending on the brand. You can make hot chocolate with both natural cocoa powder and Dutch-process cocoa. Natural cocoa powder is usually available in most grocery stores. Dutch cocoa is usually darker and has a stronger chocolate flavor than natural cocoa powder.
You could of course, but then I would recommend checking out our Oat Milk Hot Chocolate recipe that includes real chocolate.
If you tried this or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment or rating below! SIGN UP for the WSK newsletter and get the newest recipes delivered right to your inbox!
📖 Recipe
Hot Chocolate With Cocoa Powder
Ingredients
- 1-2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder *see notes
- 2-3 teaspoon (3 teaspoon) sugar (coconut, brown...) *see notes
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) milk of choice (whole milk, oat milk...)
- 2 teaspoon chocolate chips of choice (optional) *see notes
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat ⅓ cup of milk over medium-low heat until very warm but not boiling.
- Once hot, add it to a small serving bowl.
- Add in cocoa powder and sugar and stir vigorously until fully dissolved. Start with 2 tsp of sugar and work your way up from there. You'll need less sugar if you include the chocolate chips.
- Add the mix back to the saucepan and add the remaining ⅓ cup of milk. Add the chocolate chips if you want to include them.
- Heat milk-cocoa mix until warm and the chocolate is fully dissolved. Serve in a large mug with toppings of choice.
- Taste and adjust the amount of sugar to personal preference.
Video
Notes
- Chocolate Chips: Unlike our Oat Milk Hot Chocolate or Chocolate Chips Hot Chocolate recipe, this hot cocoa is made from just cocoa powder, without any chocolate chips. However, feel free to add 1-2 teaspoon of chocolate chips of choice. You will then need to reduce the sugar a bit though.
- Top Tip: It's really important that the cocoa powder and sugar are fully dissolved. For best results I recommend stirring with a small whisk.
- Cocoa Powder: Both natural and Dutch-process cocoa powder work in this recipe. Dutch-process cocoa, however, has a more intense "chocolatey", bittersweet flavor while natural cocoa powder has a milder flavor. Add more cocoa powder for deeper chocolate flavors, add less for more subtle chocolate flavors.
- Sweetener: You could use any type of sugar or another sweetener of choice such as maple syrup or agave syrup. For a sugar-free version, choose stevia instead. This recipe calls for 3 teaspoon of coconut sugar. Feel free to add more or less, depending on how sweet you like it.
- Milk: Instead of oat milk you could try almond milk or soy milk for a dairy-free hot chocolate. The recipe also works with regular whole milk. Choose full-fat milk for a creamier hot chocolate.
- Other Optional Add-Ins: ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, peppermint extract, a sprinkle of cinnamon, mini marshmallows (vegan), vegan whipped cream, vegan caramel sauce
- Use a microwave: Instead of heating the milk on the stovetop, you could microwave it until hot (but not boiling).
Teresa Berry says
Could I use carob powder instead of cocoa powder? Would there be any adjustments to the recipe if I use carob powder?
MerryM says
Was yummy! Thank you.
Katie Roux says
Happy to hear that! 😊